Light reflecting bicycle safety apparatus

Abstract

A spoke mounted bicycle reflector having first, second, and third reflective members. The first reflective member has two, generally parallel, reflective faces. The second and third reflective members have two, generally parallel, faces but only one face of each is reflective. The second and third reflective members extend outward from the first reflective member so that the faces of the second and third reflective members are in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the faces of the first reflective member, and so that the longitudinal axis of each is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first reflective member. The mount of outward extension of the second and third reflective members can be fixed or slidably adjustable in position in relation to the first reflective member. The first and second reflective members produce a mono-directional flashing effect when the wheel is rotated in the presence of a light source. From the rear of the bicycle, the strobe-like flashing appears to move upward; from the front of the bicycle, the strobe-like flashing appears to move downward. As result, a change in direction of the bicycle can be clearly seen, particularly from the front to rear as the tires and reflectors become offset when turning.

I claim: 
     
       1. A light reflecting apparatus for attachment to a cycle wheel of the type having a plurality of spokes, comprising: (a) a first reflective member, said first reflective member having first and second faces, said first reflective member having first and second ends;   (b) a second reflective member, said second reflective member having first and second faces, said second reflective member having first and second ends, said second reflective member constructed of flexible material, said second reflective member substantially thinner in cross-section than said first reflective member;   (c) a third reflective member, said third reflective member having first and second faces, said third reflective member having first and second ends, said third reflective member constructed of flexible material, said third reflective member substantially thinner in cross-section than said first reflective member;   (d) said second and third reflective members extending outward from said first reflective member in a substantially perpendicular orientation in relation to said faces of said first reflective member, said first and second ends of said second and third reflective members being longitudinally aligned with said first and second ends of said first reflective member, said faces of said second and third reflective members being substantially perpendicular to said faces of said first reflective member; and   (e) means for coupling said first reflective member to a wheel spoke.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second and third reflective members include spoke guide means for receiving a wheel spoke. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, said first reflective member including slot means for receiving said second and third reflective members. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said first reflective member includes a plurality of bores extending through said first reflective member and into said slot means. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a plurality of pins, said pins extending through said bores and into said second and third reflective members. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first reflective member includes a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, said first longitudinal edge being generally parallel to said second longitudinal edge, said first and second faces of said second reflective member being generally parallel to said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of said first reflective member, said first and second faces of said third reflective member generally parallel to said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of said first reflective member. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said first reflective member to a wheel spoke comprises a removable clamp. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second reflective member is coupled to said first face of said first reflective member, and said third reflective member is coupled to said second face of said first reflective member. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second and third reflective members each include an inner edge, said second reflective member coupled to said first face of said first reflective member adjacent said inner edge, and said third reflective member coupled to said second face of said first reflective member adjacent said inner edge. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second and third reflective members are integral portions of a single piece of said flexible material. 
     
     
       11. A light reflecting safety apparatus for a cycle wheel, comprising: (a) a first reflective member, said first reflective member having a first reflective face and a second reflective face;   (b) a second reflective member, said second reflective member extending outward from said first reflective face of said first reflective member;   (c) a third reflective member, said third reflective member extending outward from said second reflective face of said first reflective member;   (d) said second and third reflective members slidably coupled to said first reflective member;   (e) means for adjusting the extended position of said second and third reflective members in relation to said first reflective member; and   (f) means for coupling said first reflective member to a spoke of a wheel.   
     
     
       12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said first, second and third reflective members have first and second ends, each said member has a longitudinal axis extending between said respective first and second ends, and said longitudinal axes of said first, second and third reflective members are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said second and third reflective members include spoke guide means for receiving a wheel spoke. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for adjusting the extended position of said second and third reflective members in relation to said first reflective member comprises: (a) slot means for receiving said second and third reflective members.   (b) a plurality of bores extending through said first reflective member and into said slot means; and   (c) a plurality of removable pins, said pins extending through said bores and into said second and third reflective members.   
     
     
       15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said first reflective member includes a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, said first longitudinal edge being generally parallel to said second longitudinal edge, said first and second faces of said second reflective member being generally parallel to said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of said first reflective member, said first and second faces of said third reflective member generally parallel to said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of said first reflective member. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for coupling said first reflective member to a wheel spoke comprises a removable clamp. 
     
     
       17. A light reflecting safety apparatus for attachment to the spoke of a cycle wheel, comprising: (a) a first reflective member, said first reflective member having a first reflective face and a second reflective face;   (b) an arcuate second reflective member, said second reflective member extending outward from said first reflective face of said first reflective member, said second reflective member having a reflective face, said reflective face of said second reflective member oriented substantially perpendicular to said first reflective face of said first reflective member;   (c) an arcuate third reflective member, said third reflective member extending outward from said second reflective face of said first reflective member, said third reflective member having a reflective face, said reflective face of said third reflective member oriented substantially perpendicular to said second reflective face of said first reflective member;   (d) said reflective face of said second reflective member and said reflective face of said third reflective member facing outward in the same direction;   (e) said second and third reflective members slidably coupled to said first reflective member;   (f) means for adjusting said second and third reflective members to a plurality of positions in relation to said first reflective member; and   (g) means for coupling said first reflective member to a spoke of a wheel.   
     
     
       18. An apparatus as recited in claim 17; wherein said first, second and third reflective members have first and second ends, each said member has a longitudinal axis extending between said respective first and second ends, and said longitudinal axes of said first, second and third reflective members are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said second and third reflective members include spoke guide means for receiving a wheel spoke. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said means for adjusting said second and third reflective members to a plurality of positions in relation to said first reflective member comprises: (a) slot means for receiving said second and third reflective members.   (b) a plurality of bores extending through said first reflective member and into said slot means; and   (c) a plurality of removable pins, said pins extending through said bores and into said second and third reflective members.   
     
     
       21. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said first reflective member includes a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, said first longitudinal edge being generally parallel to said second longitudinal edge, said first and second faces of said second reflective member being generally parallel to said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of said first reflective member, said first and second faces of said third reflective member generally parallel to said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of said first reflective member. 
     
     
       22. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said means for coupling said first reflective member to a wheel spoke comprises a removable clamp. 
     
     
       23. A light reflecting apparatus for attachment to a cycle wheel of the type having a plurality of spokes, comprising: (a) a first reflective member, said first reflective member having first and second faces, said first reflective member having first and second ends;   (b) a second reflective member, said second reflective member having first and second faces, said second reflective member having first and second ends;   (c) a third reflective member, said third reflective member having first and second faces, said third reflective member having first and second ends;   (d) said second and third reflective members extending outward from said first reflective member in a substantially perpendicular orientation in relation to said faces of said first reflective member, said first and second ends of said second and third reflective members being longitudinally aligned with said first and second ends of said first reflective member, said faces of said second and third reflective members being substantially perpendicular to said faces of said first reflective member, said second and third reflective members including spoke guide means for receiving a wheel spoke;   (e) said first reflective member including slot means for receiving said second and third reflective members; and   (f) means for coupling said first reflective member to a wheel spoke.   
     
     
       24. A light reflecting apparatus for attachment to a cycle wheel of the type having a plurality of spokes, comprising: (a) a first reflective member, said first reflective member having first and second faces, said first reflective member having first and second ends;   (b) a second reflective member, said second reflective member having first and second faces, said second reflective member having first and second ends, said second reflective member constructed of flexible material, said second reflective member substantially thinner in cross-section than said first reflective member;   (c) a third reflective member, said third reflective member having first and second faces, said third reflective member having first and second ends, said third reflective member constructed of flexible material, said third reflective member substantially thinner in cross-section than said first reflective member;   (d) said second and third reflective members extending outward from said first reflective member in a substantially perpendicular orientation in relation to said faces of said first reflective member, said first and second ends of said second and third reflective members being longitudinally aligned with said first and second ends of said first reflective member, said faces of said second and third reflective members being substantially perpendicular to said faces of said first reflective member;   (e) said first reflective member including slot means for receiving said second and third reflective members; and   (f) means for coupling said first reflective member to a wheel spoke.   
     
     
       25. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said second and third reflective members include spoke guide means for receiving a wheel spoke. 
     
     
       26. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said first reflective member includes a plurality of bores extending through said first reflective member and into said slot means. 
     
     
       27. An apparatus as recited in claim 26, further comprising a plurality of pins, said pins extending through said bores and into said second and third reflective members. 
     
     
       28. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said first reflective member includes a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, said first longitudinal edge being generally parallel to said second longitudinal edge, said first and second faces of said second reflective member being generally parallel to said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of said first reflective member, said first and second faces of said third reflective member generally parallel to said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of said first reflective member. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said means for coupling said first reflective member to a wheel spoke comprises a removable clamp. 
     
     
       30. A light reflecting safety apparatus for a cycle wheel, comprising: (a) a first reflective member, said first reflective member having a first reflective face and a second reflective face;   (b) a second reflective member, said second reflective member slidably coupled to said first reflective member, said second reflective member having first and second reflective segments, said first reflective segment extending outward perpendicularly from said first reflective face of said first reflective member, said second reflective segment extending outward perpendicularly from said second reflective face of said first reflective member; and   (c) means for coupling said first reflective member to a spoke of a wheel.   
     
     
       31. An apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein said first reflective member includes a longitudinal slot, said second reflective member slidably engaging said slot. 
     
     
       32. An apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein said second reflective member is trimmable. 
     
     
       33. An apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein said second reflective member is constructed of flexible material, and said second reflective member is substantially thinner in cross-section than said first reflective member. 
     
     
       34. An apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein said second reflective member is centrally positioned with respect to said first reflective member so that said first reflective segment and said second reflective segment extend outward at substantially equal distances from said first and second reflective faces respectively of said first reflective member.